Madonna - Like a Virgin
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Free Music Notes for Like a Virgin
Free Music Review: A mid-80's touchstone.
Hit: 5 Stars
With her second album, Madonna exploded into the popular stratosphere, and deservedly so. Expertly produced by Nile Rodgers, with the best session musicians on the planet, Madonna here staked her claim as being the number one music star on the planet with staggering confidence.
Yes, her "boy toy" image and slinky, lingerie-clad cover shot may not have aged well, but there is no denying the genuine pop thrill of that kick-drum explosive opening to "Material Girl". That song's terrific video will still probably play in your head, but this remains one of the great singles of that era. And as much as you would NOT like to admit it, it was one of those pop songs that kids and their parents could both like.
The album continues with "Angel", a song that seems so much better now than it did back then...beautiful strings, an irresistible beat and vibrant vocals by Madonna. Most impressive.
Not much more can or should be said about the song, "Like A Virgin", but listening to it after all these years with fresh ears...it's a monster song with only one goal: to top the charts and dominate radio/MTV. Which it did. Handily.
"Over and Over" is the overlooked gem of the collection. An awesome uptempo track that'll have you dancing in your seat as you head down the highway. The melody sticks with you like a virus. Check out that sweet guitar threaded throughout the tune.
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore" is her first, and almost successful, stab at an epic ballad. She'd nail it later in her career with other songs.
"Dress You Up", for me, is a junior version of "Over and Over", but it is yet another nearly perfect pop song on an album nearly made up of nothing but.
What's worth mentioning here is that Madonna still has a limited range, but she's consciously expanding it, and never pushes it needlessly. She knows her vocal limits, and finds settings to best show it off.
"Shoo-Bee-Doo" shows her interest in "retro"-style tunes, something she'd master with "True Blue" and in another sense, the entire "I'm Breathless" album.
"Pretender" and "Stay" still sound like filler to this day, but pretty tasty filler nonetheless.
This excellent remaster adds two dance mixes of the biggest hits, but they're just an additional bonus. The real treat here is getting a chance to listen to one of the decade's highlights in exquisite fashion.
A necessary addition to any serious pop fan's collection.
Free Music Review: Madonna:- Like A Virgin
Hit: 5 Stars
November 1984 saw the release of Madonna's "Like A Virgin" album, the Queen Of Pop's second studio album. The set definately made Madonna a household name. Produced by Chic's Nile Rodgers, the opus churned out four top five American singles. The first of the lot was the title track. "Like A Virgin" spent a rather lengthy 6 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. "Material Girl" followed, and charted at #2. The other 2 singles were "Angel" and "Dress You Up", which both charted at #5. The album remains her biggest selling studio set in the US, selling 10 million since its release, earning itself a diamond award. Despite being her biggest selling studio set in the US, worldwide "Virgin" has sold 20 million, only to be beaten by "True Blue", Madonna's third album. "The Immaculate Collection" has also sold more than "Virgin" worldwide, and in the US, but it is not a studio album. "Virgin" spent 3 weeks atop the Billboard Top 200, and travelled over the tally for over 2 year.
1. "Material Girl" (10/10)
2. "Angel" (9/10)
3. "Like A Virgin" (10/10)
4. "Over And Over" (10/10)
5. "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" (10/10)
6. "Dress You Up" (10/10)
7. "Shoo-Be-Doo" (10/10)
8. "Pretender" (10/10)
9. "Stay" (10/10)
10. "Like A Virgin" [Extended Dance Mix] (10/10)
11. "Material Girl" [Extended Dance Mix] (10/10)
"Material Girl" starts off the album brilliantly. What more do I need to say??? "Angel" is probably "Virgin's" weakest moment. Madonna vocals are strong, but lyrically, I don't think it's as good as the other tracks. "Like A Virgin" is definately one of the album's best moments, and one of Madonna's best efforts of the 80's. "Over And Over" is brilliant also, whereas "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" is definately, in my personal opinion, one of Madonna's best ballads, along with some of her later efforts. "Dress You Up" is definately my favourite track on the album. I love how Madonna combines fashion and love in one song. "Shoo-Be-Doo" is another great effort that is one of the best. "Pretender" is a really great track, and I don't know why many people say it is filler. "Stay" is definately one of the best tracks. The bonus remixes are also brilliant, especially the "Like A Virgin" one. Recommended!
My top three "Like A Virgin" pics:-
3) Stay
2) Like A Virgin
1) Dress You Up
Free Music Review: When Madonna's star started to shine brightly.....
Hit: 5 Stars
When I cast my mind back to 1984, I was 12 years old and in my first year of high school. Music had become the major focus of my life (like most teenagers), and one of my biggest highlights from 1984, aside from starting high school, was receiving the Like A Virgin album on vinyl as a Christmas present.Prior to the release of Like A Virgin, her music career had been somewhat sketchy with the sleeper hit that was her first album. When the video for Like A Virgin debuted on the TV music shows with Madonna cavorting on a gondolier through the canals of Venice, it cemented her position as a major hit in the pop market. It also made us teens all the more eager for Madonna.
Like A Virgin, produced by Nile Rodgers, is certainly her most dated album musically. You can tell it was produced in the mid 80's with the characteristic drum machine and synthetic hand claps ubiquitously present throughout. This is not a bad thing though - the music is very tight and fresh sounding, and it was a huge commercial success.
The first track 'Material Girl', was the second single and another huge hit - due in part I'm sure to the very clever video with Madonna mimicking Marilyn Monroe from 'Diamonds are a girls best friend'. 'Angel' and 'Over and over' and 'Dress you up' could be described as electronica of the day, but it is the ballads where Madonna shines. 'Love don't live here anymore', one of the very few covers Madonna has done, shines not only musically but as a showcase for Madonna's burgeoning vocal talents. 'Shoobedoo', another ballad, is just as beautiful with Madonna singing about a subject close to her heart - a love gone sour.
'Pretender' and 'Stay', two excellent 80's sounding pop songs, finish off the original album.
The two original remixes for 'Like a virgin' and 'Material girl' are added as a bonus on this release. Great for nostalgia as extended remixes in those days were a lot different to the remixes of today.
For fans who purchased the vinyl the first time around this is a great CD to get to complete your Madonna CD collection, especially as the music has been remastered and has never sounded better. For recent fans who may not have heard this album, it is an excellent purchase where you get to experience a part of history when Madonna's star really started to shine.
Free Music Review: The Upstart of a Revolution
Hit: 5 Stars
After Madonna released her debut self-titled album in 1983, most critics labeled her a "one-hit wonder". Nobody expected her career to last long. However, her great presence started becoming more public in the last half of 1984. Her performance of "Like a Virgin" at the First Annual MTV Music Awards in 1984 made musical history. Later, she released her follow-up "Like a Virgin", which propelled her from dance singer to superstar. Though her public antics sparked tremendous controversy, she became a great role model to girls everywhere, especially the liberal society. Her dance moves, her music, her wardrobe, and her antics continue to influence a generation.
With the help of producer Nile Rodgers (former Chic guitarist), "Like a Virgin" resulted as a masterpiece that is now hailed as one of the greatest 1980's albums. The smash hit single of the same name begins this. Though the songs are less funk and more keyboard/ synthesizer dance (not techno), every song is as catchy as the next. She experiments with different levels of upbeat that offers a great musical journey. Every song defines 1980's pop music. Through the album's dance theme, she fits two slower songs without eliminating the quality: "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" and "Shoo-Bee-Doo". Madonna performs her lyrics wonderfully, blending perfectly with the individual theme. Her vocal expressions wonderfully add the extra catchy upbeat or ballad flavor. Though her lyrics are less repetative than her previous album, they continue being joyous for singing along, namely "Material Girl". Such great music quality earns its spot as the beginning of a pop music revolution.
"Like a Virgin" is a must-have for all Madonna fans. This classic album will surely continue pleasing many listeners as it has since its release. Those who can find the original 1984 record should buy it to make any Madonna collection complete.
Free Music Review: Her best album ever! I love her!
Hit: 5 Stars
Omg! This album is so amazing. I finally got this album today and I'm just loving it. I really miss those days. I love this album because it has really good 80s catchy beat and her singing sounded so pure and high-pitched. Her singing voice was really nice in those days. It sounded so cute. I love all the songs on this album! What I really like about Madonna is that she's strong, fearless, and outspoken. She's more like a leader. God, what can't I be more like this woman?
1. Material Girl-I could definately relate to this song because I can be materialistic when it comes to clothes and stuff. I love to buy all the nice things. 5/5
2. Angel- I love this song. It's so cute. It's the kind of song you could sing to your boyfriend. 5/5
3. Like A Virgin- a song I know very well. I am like a virgin. People see me as innocent and can do no harm like a saint. 5/5
4. Over and Over- This song is very upbeat and girly. 5/5
5. Love Don't Live Here Anymore- I think this song really stands out because it shows that Madonna can really sing which not too many people give credit on that. It has more soul to it and she definately pull this one out. 5/5
6. Dress You Up- The song talks about how she has something better in mind rather than dressing up in clothes. How cute. 5/5
7. Shoo-Bee-Doo- This song has soul too and it's a really nice song to listen to with nice vocals. 5/5
8. Pretender- My most favorite song on the album. I hate fake people. I just love the beats in the song. Very catchy and danceable. Very in-your-face kinda song. I love it so much! 6/5
9. Stay- I love this song, too. I just love the synthesizers! That's what I love about the good old 80s! 6/5
Bonus tracks: Very good remixes....5/5
I would of course recommend this to all the true Madonna fans and all the virgins out there.